University of Pittsburgh Athletics
Dino Babers Joins Panthers Assistant Football Staff
2/20/2003 12:00:00 AM | Football
Dino Babers Joins Panthers Assistant Football Staff
2/20/2003
Dino Babers has nearly two decades of collegiate coaching experience. |
University of Pittsburgh head football coach Walt Harris announced today the hiring of Dino Babers as the Panthers running backs coach.
In Babers, Pittsburgh adds an assistant with nearly two decades of collegiate coaching experience. The 41-year-old has coached in the Big 12, Big 10, Pac-10 and Western Athletic Conference (WAC). He most recently served at Texas A&M (2001-02), where he was the offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach.
Dino is a very gifted and experienced coach who is going to produce immediate dividends for our program, said Harris. He has a very engaging personality that I know our players will love. His knowledge and diverse experience make our strong staff even stronger.
There is no question that the job Walt Harris is doing is gaining recognition nationwide,? Babers said. ?I?m very excited about joining the University of Pittsburgh. There are a bunch of great coaches here and I?m happy to join their ship and continue the program?s outstanding progress.
Prior to Texas A&M, Babers was an assistant with the Arizona Wildcats for six seasons (1995-2000), coaching the receivers, running backs and quarterbacks. He assumed the duties of assistant head coach for the 1996-97 seasons before being promoted to the offensive coordinator post, which he held from 1998-2000.
During his Arizona tenure, the Wildcats averaged a Pac-10 record 471.9 yards in total offense during the 1999 season. In his first year as offensive coordinator (1998), Arizona boasted a 1,000-yard rusher, two 1,000-yard passers and a pair of receivers who combined for 121 receptions. Among Babers star pupils at Arizona were receiver Dennis Northcutt, now of the Cleveland Browns, and tailback Trung Canidate, now of the St. Louis Rams.
Babers other coaching posts include positions at San Diego State (1994, receivers), Purdue (1991-93, receivers), Northern Arizona (1990, special teams coordinator and defensive backs), UNLV (1988-89, special teams coordinator and running backs) and Eastern Illinois (1987, running backs).
Born in Honolulu, Hawaii, Babers went on to graduate from the University of Hawaii in 1984 with a bachelor's degree in education. He started at three different positions for the Warriors outside linebacker, strong safety and running back and earned first-team All-WAC Academic honors. As a senior he was Hawaii's special teams captain.
Babers played in the Canadian Football League during the 1984 season before injury ended his playing career. He began his coaching career as a graduate assistant at Hawaii (1984) and Arizona State (1985-86). Babers earned his master's in education administration and supervision from Arizona State in 1989.
He and his wife Susan have four daughters: Breeahnah (11), Tasha (10), Jazzmin (9) and Paris (5).
